Tag Archives: Executive Council

Manchester – The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB-NH), the state’s largest small business advocacy organization, today endorsed Executive Councilor Chris Pappas for re-election.

“The National Federation of Independent Business and its 1500+ members in New Hampshire are proud to endorse Councilor Chris Pappas for Executive Council in the fourth district,” said NFIB New Hampshire state director, Bruce Berke.

“As a public servant and a local business owner, employing hundreds of Granite State residents, Chris Pappas understands how to find practical solutions that spur economic innovation and job growth across our state. Chris is well-known for working across the aisle to deliver results for the people of New Hampshire — and his business experience, keen grasp of economic policy, and his commitment to hardworking families make him the best prepared candidate to tackle the challenges we face across New Hampshire.”

“I welcome the support of NFIB. As a business owner and an Executive Councilor, I’ve consistently fought for practical, bipartisan solutions that support New Hampshire’s business community and strengthen our economic future,” said Executive Councilor Chris Pappas.

“We’ve made great progress improving the state’s infrastructure, making government more user-friendly, and expanding access to life-saving health care. But there’s still more work to do, and I hope to continue fighting for working families, building a stronger economy, and delivering real results for the people of New Hampshire.”

Chris Pappas is running for re-election to the Executive Council in District 4 on November 8th. To find out more visit chrispappas.org.

Nashua, NH – Today, Dan Weeks (D-Nashua), the Democratic nominee for New Hampshire Executive Council in District 5, called on his opponent, incumbent Councilor David Wheeler (R-Milford), to publicly disclose his campaign finances, in accordance with state law. Weeks also reiterated his call for Wheeler to agree to public debates.

“Mr. Wheeler has gone out of his way to applaud Donald Trump, yet even Trump is now debating his opponent,” said Weeks. “Public servants must be accountable to the people. But after two months of asking, Mr. Wheeler still refuses to even acknowledge my debate request. Worse yet, he is the only high-level candidate for state office to ignore all three state financial disclosure deadlines, which means he has either not paid for his many visible campaign expenditures or is in outright violation of state law.”

“In this campaign, I have visited every town in District 5,” said Weeks. “Countless voters have told me that Mr. Wheeler refused to respond to their phone calls, emails, or address their legitimate concerns. Many doubt that my opponent has ever even been to their towns. If I am elected to the Executive Council, I will always listen to my constituents and practice full transparency.”

Since announcing his candidacy in March, Weeks has toured all 33 towns in District 5 and attended countless events. He officially filed to run for Executive Council by obtaining signed petitions from each town in the district, rather than by paying a fee as Mr. Wheeler did.

“Your Councilor should be transparent. That is why I’ve challenged my opponent to a public debate and voluntarily released financial information about my campaign, even before the state filing deadlines. I am proud that our campaign has received over 1,200 contributions from people from all walks of life.”

New Hampshire campaign finance law requires candidates to file financial reports starting August 24th when at least $500.00 is expended. In keeping with Dan Weeks’ long history advocating for campaign finance reform and greater government transparency, Weeks believes candidates should file sooner than the August deadline and should be prohibited from accepting donations over $1,000 from individuals or any corporate donations. He has voluntarily modeled those reforms in his campaign.

“I find it incredibly hard to believe that my opponent has not surpassed the $500 expenditure threshold that would require a financial disclosure,” said Weeks. “Mr. Wheeler needs to disclose his campaign finance reports and debate, to prove that he isn’t wheeling and dealing with the public’s trust.”

Dan is a 12th generation Granite Stater, a community leader in Nashua, and a proven advocate for good-government reform. Raised on a small community farm in Temple, Dan left home at age 18 to serve with AmeriCorps, attend Yale and Oxford on scholarships, and work on democratic development abroad. He returned to New Hampshire to start a family and continue his public service.

Weeks Remarks on Officially Democratic Nomination for Executive Council District 5

Nashua, NH – Dan Weeks (D-Nashua), former Executive Director of Open Democracy and the New Hampshire Rebellion, officially became the Democratic Nominee for the New Hampshire Executive Council’s fifth district and has released the following statement:

“I am deeply honored to officially receive the Democratic nomination for Executive Council in New Hampshire’s Fifth District.

The past few months have been an incredible and humbling adventure. We began this campaign in the spring by filing for office the grassroots way with hundreds of petitions from ordinary citizens in all 33 towns – a first for New Hampshire. We continued over the summer with handshake tours, ice cream tours, parades, fairs, house parties, and service projects in every corner of the District 5. And we have kept the focus on citizens not special interests, engaging hundreds of volunteers and raising over 1,000 small donations.

Our message is one of empowering the everyday citizens in our political system, instead of those with the deepest pockets. It is one of taking care of our most vulnerable neighbors by fighting to continue the Medicaid expansion which serves over 50,000 Granite Staters. It is a message that we respect women and families, and their rights to affordable and accessible healthcare through continued funding of Planned Parenthood.

And it is a message that we must bring New Hampshire into the 21st century through broadband and clean energy projects that are good for our economy and our environment. Projects like commuter rail, the greatest economic opportunity for New Hampshire in a generation, which will bring over 5,600 new permanent jobs and millions in outside investment to our state. And projects like moving to a 100% renewable energy smart grid, complete with expanded broadband access, which will bring even more good-paying jobs, while protecting our precious natural resources.

I have been honored to receive support from such outstanding individuals as Nashua’s Mayor Jim Donchess, Former Executive Councilors Debora Pignatelli and Bernie Streeter, former NH First Lady Dorothy Peterson, and former Chief Justice of the NH Supreme Court John Broderick. Our campaign has also been endorsed by groups like the American Federation of Teachers – NH, the State Employees Association, and many other labor and grassroots organizations. The list of supporters grows each day.

In the 55 days remaining until the general election, we will draw stark contrasts with our opponent, whose message could not be more different from our own. Although I respect Councilor Wheeler’s long tenure in state politics, I believe his record is one of misguided allegiance to the values of the Koch brothers, not Granite State values. Values that pledge to block the Medicaid expansion, to prevent funding for Planned Parenthood, to deny the stark reality of climate science, and to stand in the way of the progress on expanding opportunity for every New Hampshire child.

Staying true to my proven record and background of good governance, I have worked tirelessly to engage my opponent in a series of public debates so these issues can be addressed for the benefit of the voters. My opponent has steadfastly ignored my requests. Unfortunately, his refusal to engage with me is in line with his long history of ignoring his constituents and individuals who hold views that may differ from his own ideology.

New Hampshire and the Fifth District deserve to be represented on the Executive Council by someone who shares their values and aspirations, someone who will listen to their needs and will return their calls. I promise to work my heart out to earn the support of Democrats, Republicans, and Independents all across District 5, and to faithfully represent your needs and interests on the Executive Council. “

Dan is a 12th generation Granite Stater, a community leader in Nashua, and a proven advocate for good-government reform. Raised on a small community farm in Temple, Dan left home at age 18 to serve with AmeriCorps, attend Yale and Oxford on scholarships, and work on democratic development abroad. He returned to New Hampshire to start a family and continue his public service.

NASHUA – More than two weeks after Executive Council candidate and good-government reformer Dan Weeks (D-Nashua) hand-delivered a debate invitation to his opponent, the incumbent Councilor David Wheeler continues to evade the issue and ignore requests from non-partisan organizations offering to host debates. Dozens of District 5 voters have echoed Weeks’ call for debates by sending messages of their own to Wheeler, who has yet to respond to a single one.

“I firmly believe that anyone who seeks the people’s trust owes it to the voters to stand up in public alongside his opponent and defend his positions,” Weeks said. “If Councilor Wheeler won’t agree to meet me in public and debate, you have to wonder what he’s trying to hide.”

Weeks added that he is more than willing to come to his opponent’s neighborhood or front door with a podium for him, if that’s what it takes to have a public debate.

In a letter Weeks delivered to Wheeler at the August 3rd meeting of the Governor and Council, Weeks formally requested Wheeler “work with me on arranging for a series of debates… to provide direct and substantive access to our positions on the issues to voters.” The letter received coverage in The Union Leader, Nashua Telegraph, and other outlets. Although Wheeler indicated to The Union Leader on August 12th that “we’re working on setting one up in Peterborough as we speak,” neither the Weeks campaign nor the Peterborough organizers have received any response from Wheeler as of August 18th.

The call for debates is not the first time Wheeler has refused to return letters or calls from Weeks, a longtime District 5 resident, or other constituents. Since entering the race in March, Weeks has called upon Wheeler to address questions and concerns from constituents over commuter rail, renewable energy, women’s health contracts, and racist and xenophobic statements made by Donald Trump, after Wheeler was the senior-most elected official to attend the Republican nominee’s New Hampshire address in June. All of Weeks’ requests to-date have gone unanswered.

“There is simply no excuse for an elected representative to systematically ignore his constituents’ pleas,” Weeks said. “As I travel the 33 towns in District 5 meeting voters and hearing their concerns, I am repeatedly told by ordinary citizens that Wheeler never returned their calls. That is unacceptable.”

Weeks concluded, “As a 15-year advocate for transparent and accountable governance, I am ready to do my part by answering voters questions directly – not through speeches and soundbites at a forum but in a real debate. It’s high time Councilor Wheeler joined in.”

Manchester, NH – Today, Manchester business owner and Executive Councilor Chris Pappas received the recommendation of the National Education Association of New Hampshire (NEA-NH).

“Over his two terms on the Executive Council, Chris Pappas has been a tireless champion for students, educators, and working families across New Hampshire,” said NEA New Hampshire President Scott McGilvray. “Chris believes every child has a right to a high-quality public education, and that investing in educators means investing in our children’s futures. He will continue the fight to make sure every child has the opportunity to reach his or her potential. NEA-NH is proud to recommend Chris Pappas to another term on the Executive Council.”

“I’m honored to have received the recommendation of NEA-NH and to stand with them to strengthen public education for children in New Hampshire,” said Executive Councilor Chris Pappas. “As a proud product of Manchester public schools, I know public education opens the doors of opportunity and gives everyone a shot at life-long success. I will continue to fight for New Hampshire’s students and teachers so we can build a brighter future for working families and communities across our state.”

Nashua, NH – With less than three months to go until Election Day November 8th, Democratic candidate for Executive Council and good-government reformer Dan Weeks issued another call on incumbent Councilor Dave Wheeler to commit to a series of fall debates across District 5.

In a letter Weeks delivered to Wheeler at the August 3rd meeting of the Governor and Council in Nashua, Weeks formally requested Wheeler “work with me on arranging for a series of debates… to provide direct and substantive access to our positions on the issues to voters.” Wheeler has yet to reply to the letter.

“More than a week has passed since I handed my opponent a letter respectfully requesting he join with me in planning five or more debates,” Weeks said. “I believe that anyone who seeks the people’s trust owes it to the voters to stand up in public, answer tough questions, and defend his positions alongside his opponent. As a 15-year advocate for transparent and accountable governance, I am ready to do my part by addressing the voters directly – not through speeches and soundbites at a forum but in a real debate. I’m counting on Councilor Wheeler to join me in this most basic democratic act.”

The call for debates is not the first time Wheeler has refused to return letters or calls from Weeks, a longtime District 5 resident, or other constituents. Since entering the race in March, Weeks has called upon Wheeler to address questions and concerns from constituents over commuter rail, alternative energy, women’s health contracts, and racist and xenophobic statements made by Donald Trump after Wheeler was the senior-most elected official to attend the Republican presidential nominee’s June address in New Hampshire. All Weeks’ requests to-date have gone unanswered.

“While I don’t always expect a politician to answer questions from his opponent in an election, there is simply no excuse for an elected representative to systematically ignore his constituents’ pleas,” Weeks said. “As I visit the District’s 33 towns meeting voters and hearing their concerns, I am repeatedly told by ordinary citizens that Wheeler never returned their calls. That is unacceptable.”

Weeks concluded, “I seriously doubt that my opponent has no opinion on the matters voters raise, but voters have a right to know where he stands. That’s why debates are so important. I am ready and waiting to work with my opponent on finding dates and nonpartisan venues throughout District 5 where we can respectfully debate the issues facing our great state.”

DURHAM, NH – Executive Council candidate and government reformer Dan Weeks attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the $2.1 million, 651-kilowatt Oyster River Forest Solar Array, the second-largest solar project in New Hampshire. Weeks praised the project developers, ReVision Energy, IGS Solar, and the Town of Durham, and urged his opponent to allow New Hampshire municipalities to follow Durham’s lead in building the state’s clean energy economy.

Weeks is challenging District 5 incumbent Councilor David Wheeler, who opposed the Durham array and has consistently voted to block municipal solar systems as recommended to the Executive Council by the Public Utilities Commission. Funding for such projects is provided, in part, by the NH Renewable Energy Fund, which receives payments from private utilities for non-compliance with the state’s clean energy requirements. No tax funds are included in the fund.

“New Hampshire is on the verge of a new clean energy economy, with the potential to generate thousands more middle-class jobs and put our environment on a more sustainable course for future generations,” Weeks said. “It is time for Executive Councilors to stop their senseless denial of climate science and allow the New Hampshire Renewable Energy Fund to do its job.”

The Oyster River Solar Array was made possible through a $500,000 grant from the Renewable Energy Fund after Republican Councilor Joe Kenney switched sides and joined the two Democratic Councilors in approving the project last June. Councilor David Wheeler, who is backed by the Koch-funded Americans for Prosperity which rejects climate science, was one of two Republicans who voted to block the project. Republican Councilors have succeeded in blocking similar municipal clean energy projects in the past.

According to project developer Revision Energy, the Durham solar field will generate over 850,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per year for an annual CO2 reduction of nearly 1.5 million pounds. With an estimated payback period of 5-10 years and minimal maintenance, the system is expected to generate free energy and considerable cost savings for the town of Durham for the next 30-50 years.

New Hampshire currently ranks near the bottom of northeastern states in adoption of renewable energy and second highest in per-capita carbon consumption, despite the fact that the state’s nascent renewable energy sector has already seen over 70 startup companies and thousands of jobs created to meet the burgeoning demand from residential and business consumers. Weeks and his family generate the bulk of their energy from a 17-panel rooftop solar array.

“As New Hampshire’s highest elected body charged with approving state spending and appointments, it is the Executive Council’s job to make smart investments for the good of future generations,” Weeks concluded. “I respectfully urge my opponent to rethink his ideological opposition to renewables and support the clean energy economy for the good of our citizens and the natural environment.”

243-mile, 15-Hour Tour Highlights Executive Council Candidate’s Commitment to Public Service

Dan meets with locals at the Hollis Diner

NASHUA – On National Handshake Day, Thursday, June 30th, Executive Council candidate and Open Democracy leader Dan Weeks traveled 243 miles over 15 consecutive hours visiting all 33 towns in District 5. The #HandshakeDan tour, a first in Executive Council politics, featured hundreds of handshakes and countless conversations with Democrats, Republicans, and Independents about issues of concern in the fall election.

“Although I’m proud of my New Hampshire heritage and was fortunate to grow up here in District 5, I cannot take my prior knowledge of the towns and their people for granted,” said Weeks, whose family roots go back to the first generation of English settlers in Portsmouth and Lancaster, NH. “As a candidate and public servant, my job is to reach out to my constituents, listen to their concerns, and faithfully represent their interests in Concord. This tour is just one of many ways I am working to earn the people’s trust.”

Weeks began the day at 7am by serving breakfast at the Nashua Soup Kitchen and Shelter, where he regularly volunteers. He then met with Nashua First Lady Vicki Donchess and other supporters in front of Nashua City Hall to launch his Handshake Day tour. The day-long tour took Weeks and campaign assistant Julia Murray and Abby Scheetz to numerous town halls, diners, libraries, country stores, farms, and police and fire stations where the candidate shook hands with citizens and asked what issues matter most to them in the upcoming election. Weeks was greeted at several stops by campaign supporters with signs and $5 donations, who were tracking the tour online in real time. A full itinerary and GPS tracker are available at www.danielweeks.com/handshakedan.

“More than anything else, I want to know that my elected officials are representing me, that they’ll listen to what I have to say and return my call,” said Catherine Sofitikis, a resident of Nashua who met Weeks yesterday outside Nashua City Hall with her dog. “Dan knows this District like the back of his hand and will stop at nothing to hear what other people have to say, even people he doesn’t agree with. He is setting a positive example of how campaigns should be run.”

Weeks recently drew attention for his unprecedented #DanOnBallot petition campaign, in which he and his many volunteers collected nearly 700 petition signatures from voters in every District 5 town to support his candidacy – a grassroots alternative to the standard practice of candidates paying a fee to appear on the ballot.

“I have dedicated my life to making government more open and accountable to the needs of ordinary citizens, instead of wealthy special interests,” said Weeks, who recently stepped down as Executive Director of Open Democracy and the NH Rebellion. In these times of deep-seated political division, public service demands we shake hands with allies and adversaries alike and work to build trusting relationships across the aisle to get things done,” Weeks concluded. “I encourage my opponent to join me in visiting every District 5 town during this campaign and openly debating the important matters facing our district and state.”

Dan Weeks Urges Executive Council To Return To 40-Year Policy Of Investing In Women’s Health

Nashua, NH – On Wednesday, June 29th, the New Hampshire Executive Council is expected to vote on the latest routine contract, recommended by the NH Department of Health and Human Services, to enable Planned Parenthood of Northern New England to continue providing preventive health services to over 12,000 women and men throughout New Hampshire.

“Quality, affordable health care is the building block of a successful life and should never be subject to partisan politics,” said Dan Weeks, former Executive Director of Open Democracy and candidate for Executive Council in District 5. “I respectfully request the Republican Executive Councilors David Wheeler, Chris Sununu, and Joe Kenney return to New Hampshire’s longstanding bipartisan tradition of investing in women’s health by approving the recommended contract.”

From 1972 to 2011, New Hampshire participated in the federal-state Title X partnership by funding community health centers, like Planned Parenthood, which provide well-woman exams, cancer screenings, and contraception for thousands of Granite Staters. The contracts were consistently approved without controversy by Republican-dominated Executive Councils, in part because of Planned Parenthood’s track record of reducing the rate of abortions and teenage pregnancies, which have fallen to their lowest level in forty years. No public funds are permitted to be spent on abortions.

In 2011 and 2015, the all-male Executive Council voted 3-2 along party lines to single out and strip Planned Parenthood of all state funds, against the wishes of the NH Legislature and the Department of Health and Human Services. The decision limits services for over 12,000 low-income women and men who rely on Planned Parenthood’s five community health centers for cost-saving primary and reproductive health care. According to Planned Parenthood reports, the organization provides over $3 million in free or reduced-price services to clients, over 90 percent of whom are either poor or near-poor.

“If our goal is to reduce abortions and teenage pregnancies, while protecting women’s health, this contract is a no-brainer,” Weeks said. “My opponent espouses a ‘pro-life’ position but his actions do not appear to bear it out, nor do they represent the wishes of his constituents. I urge Councilor Wheeler and his Republican colleagues to stop playing politics with women’s health by approving the contract in question next week and supporting systemic gender-equity reforms in New Hampshire.”

A 2015 Hart Research Associates survey, conducted in the aftermath of a video smear campaign against Planned Parenthood by anti-abortion activists, found two-thirds of Granite Staters oppose defunding Planned Parenthood.

Nashua, NH – Executive Council candidate and good government champion Dan Weeks challenged incumbent Councilor David Wheeler to denounce the fear-mongering and falsehoods on the part of Donald Trump in his Monday night address. Wheeler was the senior-most elected official to attend Trump’s New Hampshire event at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, according to WMUR News.

“New Hampshire voters value human decency and responsibility over fear-mongering and falsehoods,” Weeks said. “Donald Trump’s wanton disregard for the truth and his willingness to discriminate against entire groups of people based on religion or race make him unfit for any office. I call on my opponent to denounce, rather than applaud, the demagoguery and lies of Donald Trump.”

According to the Pulitzer Prize-winning PolitiFact.com and The Washington Post, Trump made multiple false claims about national security in his Manchester address, including claiming the New York City-born gunman in the Orlando massacre “was born in Afghan;” suggesting that Muslim Americans knowingly harbor terrorists, when no such evidence exists; and claiming that “we’re not screening people” when the US has one of the most intensive – if imperfect – multi-step vetting processes that can take up to two years. A PolitiFact review of contested claims by Donald Trump since 2015 finds 60% of his statements to be entirely false and another 16% mostly false.

“Ethical and accountable government starts with leaders tackling tough problems and telling the truth,” Weeks said. “If we are to meet our very real security and immigration challenges, we cannot tolerate such un-American scapegoating and falsehoods. As the senior-most elected official attending Trump’s New Hampshire address, Mr. Wheeler has a responsibility to his constituents to denounce Trump’s irresponsible lies.”